Electric Bikes OK for Measurement?

peteriegelRCMBB Founder

Message from a Measurer

Pete,

I don’t have one but are electric assisted bikes allowed for certification?

Don Connolly

My Reply
Dear Don,

Any vehicle with a wheel that can follow the shortest possible route would be OK, seems to me. I've considered a moped myself. Of course, you'd have to consider how you are going to count the wheel revolutions. A Jones Counter might not fit the hub. Something electronic could probably work.

I'm going to post this on the Bulletin Board. Could provoke some interesting discussion.

10/31/078:57 AM

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Original Post

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duanerussellMeasurer

Pete,

Upon first glance, it seems that "any vehicle with a wheel that can follow..." is too broad. For example, your dream moped.

Say you figure out how to rig a counter, and overcome the wheel divisions. Great. You calibrate on your course going 10 mph. Fine.

You hit the course, and have a section that is long, straight, and has some cars approaching you as you ride against traffic. Throttle-up! you hit 30 mph, but you beat traffic. BUT -

Fat pneumatic, thick-walled tires changed shape at the higher speed, drastically changing the circumference of the tire. Not accurate anymore. Add to that the squishing of the tire on extended braking, or acceleration.

Just my thinking that bike tires work because they don't vary in shape/circumference nearly as much as larger tires may during varying riding conditions.

Duane

10/31/079:11 AM

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